FR Filed against SJB fixed for support

A Fundamental Rights petition filed challenging legality of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Chairman and its Secretary was today fixed for support by the Supreme Court.

When the petition came up before the Supreme Court three-judge-Bench headed by Justice Murdu Fernando, the petitioner was absent and unrepresented. Accordingly, the Supreme Court fixed the matter to be taken up for support on May 22.

Oshala Herath who is contesting in the upcoming General Election under the UNP ticket (Colombo District) has filed this writ petition.

The petitioner is seeking an Interim Order preventing the former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Ranjith Maddumabandara from holding out to the general public that they are the Chairman and Secretary of the SJB.

The Petitioner states that Sajith Premadasa and Ranjith Maddumabandara are still members of the United National Party, another duly registered political party, and hold the positions of Deputy Leader and Senior Deputy Chairman of that party respectively.

The Petitioner states that the United National Party has also resolved to contest the forthcoming Parliamentary elections. The Petitioner states that a new political party bearing the name and title of “Samagi Jana Balawegaya” was conspicuously brought to the attention of the general public of Sri Lanka by Sajith Premadasa and Ranjith Maddumabandara on or about March 3, 2020 at a ceremony held at the Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Colombo.

The petitioner maintained that two respondents Sajith Premadasa and Ranjith Maddumabandara are not valid members of the said party and hence cannot be voted for as members of the SJB at the upcoming General Election.

The petitioner is also seeking an order suspending the operation of the decision of the Election Commission confirming the appointment of the two respondents as the Chairman and Secretary of the SJB.

Romesh De Silva PC with Farman Casim PC and Counsel Niran Ankatel under the instruction of counsel Sanath Wijewardane appeared for Sajith Premadasa and Ranjith Madduma Bandara.